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News

Newest Arrivals to Australia

OTI’s newest imports have touched-down safely over the weekend after having arrived from Europe. These horses will head to their respective trainers in the coming weeks and we look forward to seeing them progress through the Australia racing ranks.

 

Corncrake (GB)

Breeding: Mastercraftsman ex. Harvest Queen

DOB: 07/02/2016

Race Record: 6: 3-0-0

Australian Trainer: Matthew Smith

Recently acquired from the deceased estate of Lady Rothschild, Corncrake is a winner of his past three races and looks to be a colt with great potential. Previously trained by Richard Hannon in the UK, he claimed the colt had an exciting future ahead.

His best distance is currently 2000m. However, on his breeding, he would be expected to get to 2400m. The characteristics of this colt seem well suited to Australia. He can settle in his races before sprinting, an essential feature for Australian racing. With good feet and the capability of going on firm ground, the chances of him staying sound during his career are greatly enhanced.

As would be expected, being bred by the Rothschilds, Corncrake has a superior pedigree that includes multiple stakes performers.

He will be trained by Matthew Smith at Warwick Farm in Sydney, New South Wales. Corncrake will go into work immediately with the view of getting to the races during early summer, before focussing on a strong spring campaign for 2020.

 

Vela (IRE)

Breeding: Pedro the Great ex. Hideaway Girl

DOB: 29/04/2016

Race Record: 5: 1-0-0

Australian Trainer: Grahame Begg

By the sire ‘Pedro the Great’, Vela was purchased as a yearling by OTI on the recommendation of Fabre. With bright prospects, he was subsequently named after New Zealand’s great Sir Peter Vela.

Vela has good gate speed and has the ability to either lead or settle amongst the field. He settles well by switching off during the run before finding the line strongly. He fought hard for his first maiden win, having taken up the lead due to a slow tempo.

Vela is a horse that needs time to grow both physically and mentally, and as a typical late-maturing type will enjoy a break in the Australian sunshine over spring. Once back in work we can then assess his racing quality.

Vela is a quality horse that will enjoy some TLC, so will join the Grahame Begg Racing team at Pinecliff in Mornington, Victoria.

  

My Swashbuckler (IRE) 

Breeding: Pour Moi ex. Avventura

DOB: 17/04/2015

Race Record: 12: 1-3-3

My Swashbuckler’s races confirm that he is a horse that will suit Australian conditions and can run out distances of up to two miles against quality company. In our opinion, this makes him an ideal target for major Australian staying features.

Due to a slight suspensory strain whilst in training in France, he will head to Warrnambool to make use of the facilities available at Matthew Williams Racing in the south-west of Victoria.

Previously trained by Alain Coutiel in France, My Swashbuckler has made his way to Australia to continue his rehab programme to then be prepared down-under. He will be trained by Kris Lees in Newcastle, New South Wales. Once in his stables and in full work, he can gauge the horse’s ability and generate an Australian campaign to suit this.

 

It will be exciting to see these horses come into their own during their time in Australia and we are looking forward to seeing them on track in the near future!